May is a month of renewal, when flowers blossom, the days get longer, and the festival season is really underway all over the United States. It is a time when Americans take off their winter clothes, go out, and celebrate everything from jazz and bluegrass to food, wine, art, and cultural heritage.
So, if you are a music lover, a foodie, or just someone looking for a unique local experience, May is the perfect time to visit the U.S.
However, the U.S. doesn't just stop at May festivals, as it also hosts some thrilling events such as the Kentucky Derby horse races, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, the National Memorial Day parades, and many more.
Top Festivals in the USA in May
1. Kentucky Derby Festival: Louisville, Kentucky
Date: Early May
Place: Churchill Downs, Louisville
May festival wouldn’t be a complete list without the iconic Kentucky Derby. The “Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports” is a very brief time span during which this historic horse race is held. However, it is a two-week-long celebration of Southern charm and style, the first of its kind.
In fact, the festival is a late April kickoff with a calendar full of events running into the first week of May. Thunder Over Louisville fireworks show, Pegasus Parade, Steamboat Races, and numerous parties happening all over the city are the main attractions. The people attending the festival wear outrageous hats, take a sip of mint julep, and breathe in the atmosphere.
2. New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival: New Orleans, Louisiana
Date: Late April to Early May
Place: Fair Grounds Race Course
Jazz Fest, as it is lovingly known, is an event that should not be missed by anyone who is passionate about music. The festival, in fact, is a celebration of jazz, the mainstay, and also of blues, R&B, rock, gospel, and Cajun music, genres that have gradually merged with and influenced each other over the last century and are now considered to be the city’s musical traditions or roots besides jazz.
Thanks to its numerous stages and therefore hundreds of performers, not to mention the availability of delicious Creole and Cajun dishes, Jazz Fest is a feast for the senses. Past line-ups have included a host of star power, such as Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen, and Lizzo.
3. BottleRock Napa Valley: Napa, California
Date: Late May
Place: Napa Valley Expo
BottleRock Napa Valley, with its superb combination of wine, gourmet food, and chart-topping music, is the perfect match for California's luxurious yet relaxed festival-style living.
This is not only a music festival, as it also has a Culinary Stage where celebrity chefs and musicians cook together, and local wineries are there to represent the best vineyards of Napa.
4. Memphis in May International Festival: Memphis, Tennessee
Date: Throughout May
Place: Downtown Memphis
For a whole month, this festival honors the artistic and cultural heritage that Memphis has to offer. Among the events are the Beale Street Music Festival, World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest, and Great American River Run.
The Beale Street Music Festival is a magnet for thousands of people as it presents a very diverse line-up, from rock and hip-hop to blues and indie. At the same time, the barbecue contest is a food lover's heaven filled with smoke and delicious meat.
5. National Memorial Day Concert: Washington, D.C.
Date: Last Sunday in May
Place: West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol
The National Memorial Day Concert, a National Memorial Day Concert Tribute to America’s Heroes, is an emotional tribute that a year could hardly have more. It is a nationwide broadcast that, through music, stories, and memory, pays tribute to those who lost their lives in war and veterans.
For a live audience, the event daily attracts thousands who attend the open-air sky, and see the show of popular artists and symphony orchestras. It is a wonderful occasion to feel the nation and experience the solidarity.
6. Spoleto Festival USA: Charleston, South Carolina
Date: Late May to Early June
Place: Historic Downtown Charleston
One of the factors that made Spoleto Festival USA, a world-renowned celebration of the performing arts, such an exceptional event was the beautiful and sophisticated architecture, as well as the southern hospitality that characterised Charleston.
The festival is an international festival of opera, theater, dance, and visual arts that welcomes both new and well-known artists. From old churches to theaters without a roof, artistic presentations take place in gorgeous building.
7. Reno River Festival: Reno, Nevada
Date: Mid-May
Place: Truckee River Whitewater Park
The Reno River Festival is a winning combination of adventurous activities in the open air and community fun. This amazing event that takes place along the beautiful Truckee River offers a variety of water activities, such as kayaking, paddleboarding, and whitewater competitions, that fascinate both the people who take part and the onlookers.
In addition, the festival organizes live music events, food trucks, and craft vendor stalls, and this suffices to gather families as well as seekers of adventure. Kids can engage with friendly games while grown-ups can indulge in food and drinks.
A great getaway, the outdoors around Reno gives you options of hiking, biking, and nature exploration. For example, if you want the excitement, are fond of music, or are just a gourmand, the Reno River Festival is a perfect mix of fun and culture waiting for you. Also, don’t forget to bring your waterproof gear, as being splashed is part of the fun!
8. Cinco de Mayo Festival: San Antonio, Texas
Date: May 5
Place: Market Square, San Antonio
San Antonio’s Cinco de Mayo Festival is an eventful celebration of Mexico’s culture. For several days, Market Square turns into a big party full of colors, music, and dances, with the continuous presence of mariachi bands and folkloric groups, all attracting people who come to enjoy the day.
Extravagant floats, costumes, and cultural displays make up parades, which are the main feature of San Antonio’s Mexican roots.
The festival sees a great attendance of San Antonians and visitors who love traditional Mexican food such as tacos, tamales, and elote, being offered in more than 100 food stalls. Besides, there are artisans of jewelry, textiles, and souvenirs of the handcrafted products.
People who visit the festival have the opportunity to learn from professionals about the traditional crafts or to watch the live preparation of dishes.
9. Portland Rose Festival: Portland, Oregon
Date: Late May to June
Place: Downtown Portland & Tom McCall Waterfront Park
One of the country’s oldest and highly acclaimed events that mark the arrival of spring is The Portland Rose Festival. Besides its famous Grand Floral Parade, the festival, which is the city of roses’ most significant spring event, presents floats of roses, bands, and community groups.
Along with dragon boat races, carnival rides, and street performances are the attractions that bring in the city’s locals, visitors, and families of all ages. In a festival that is floral, local culture, and entertainment all in a scenic riverside setting, the result is an unbeatable springtime atmosphere. Why not also go to the International Rose Test Garden, one of the most famous rose gardens in the world, which is filled with thousands of blooming roses planted in terraced gardens?
Besides enjoying live music, food and crafts are also available, thus making the Rose Festival a great day out. The Portland Rose Festival is definitely a spring celebration at its best, be it through attendance at the parade, dragon boat racing, or just appreciating the beauty around you.
10. Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC): Las Vegas, Nevada
Date: Mid to Late May
Place: Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Electric Daisy Carnival Las Vegas (EDC) is a massive electronic dance music festival, in fact, one of the largest across the globe, which brings together fans of the same genre from all continents. The 3-day event turns the Mojave Desert into a neon city of huge stages, eye-catching light shows, and amusement rides.
Some of the world's best DJs, such as Tiësto, Martin Garrix, and Armin van Buuren, unite for the festival, releasing a vibe that is kept on a dance floor for 12 hours each night. In addition to music, the events also feature art installations and interactive experiences, which really add a feast for the eyes to the festival line-up.
The vibe is very energetic and exciting as those who come dressed in their colorful and eclectic wardrobes help to uplift the festive mood. EDC Las Vegas is just not a music festival. However, it is a fantastic combination of sound, art, and community in a gorgeous desert.
11. Tulip Time Festival: Holland, Michigan
Date: Early to Mid-May
Place: Holland, Michigan
It’s a city where every year the Tulip Time Festival takes place, when millions of tulips that were planted in Holland, Michigan, bloom and display their spectacular colors that can be seen on the streets and parks, and at the same time, the city celebrates its Dutch heritage. Besides the vibrant colors, one can find streets and parks decorated with traditional Dutch costumes and amusement-filled parades.
Visitors can enjoy the delights of folk dancing, artisan markets, and cultural performances via a simple walk through the beautifully designed gardens. The festival keeps the visitors busy with wooden shoe demonstrations and windmill displays, too.
Food lovers attending the festival can indulge in local treats and European-inspired dishes, which will be available at food stalls. Photographers and nature lovers are there to capture the most beautiful tulip shots. Tulip Time offers a fun atmosphere that is both tranquil and a celebration of culture through the beauty of flowers. If you plan to visit early in May, it will be your best decision as you will be there to see the peak bloom, parades, and performances at their best.
12. Atlanta Jazz Festival: Atlanta, Georgia
Date: Memorial Day Weekend
Place: Piedmont Park
Known as one of the biggest free jazz festivals in the United States, the Atlanta Jazz Festival brings together Piedmont Park’s music lovers every Memorial Day weekend. After the first festival commemorating jazz greats in the 70s, the event has grown in stature yearly, now featuring both legends and young talents.
The visitors may be seen lying on their blankets or sitting on their picnic chairs while they enjoy live music performances under the shady trees. The festival had not limited its genres exclusively to jazz. Therefore, the audience could hear a varied range of styles like blues, R&B, and fusion.
Venues are offering delicious food and drinks from the South and different parts of the world for visitors to enjoy the day at the festival with ease. It has become a family-friendly festival with lots of walking around and activities for kids, and music workshops to familiarize the younger generation with music.
The Atlanta Jazz Festival is a cultural feast with a relaxed atmosphere, and it is a perfect event for those who want to get their fill of music, art, food, and springtime enjoyment all in one lively place.
13. Telluride Bluegrass Festival: Telluride, Colorado
Date: Late May
Place: Telluride Town Park
With its incredible view of the San Juan Mountains, the Telluride Bluegrass Festival has become a paradise for bluegrass music fans. Even though the main festival goes on till June, there are some pre-festival events and workshops in May, which have already given the attendees a little taste of the genre’s rich tradition.
Besides the festival, visitors can have a great time with the beautiful nature, the hikes, the local markets, and the artisan stalls in the mountain town. Moreover, the festival cultivates a feeling of community, as jam sessions, sing-alongs, and family activities happen simultaneously.
The festival’s distinctive character, mixed with the cool mountain weather in May, makes layering a must for visitors’ comfort. The Telluride Bluegrass Festival is one of the best things to do if you are looking for music, nature, and culture all wrapped up in one, and having a great time in a workshop or at a live performance. The festival really offers a wonderful and memorable stay in the springtime in the Rocky Mountains.
14. Smithsonian Craft Show: Washington, D.C.
Date: Early May
Place: National Building Museum
The Smithsonian Craft Show is the ultimate event for those who appreciate art and craft. It presents extraordinary one-of-a-kind handmade pieces from all over the United States. The annual exhibition held at the famous National Building Museum displays arts and crafts like jewelry, ceramics, weaving, glass, and woodworking from both new and vibrant artists of the art scene.
Attendees can meet the artists, watch their craft, and get exclusive works directly from them. The festival, which brings the Smithsonian Institution funds, is also a double win for visitors, as it gives them cultural delight.
Moreover, the attendees can get involved in applying the concepts learnt from the workshops and dialogues about the contemporary craft trend. Visitors will be able to enjoy the remarkable and grand architecture of the National Building Museum, adding to the event experience, which is like celebrating with a sophisticated, elegant dress at hand.
Therefore, if you are looking for a source of inspiration or a stunningly different souvenir, the Smithsonian Craft Show delivers to you the best of both worlds- art and learning, which makes it an unmissable cultural event this May.
15. Shaky Knees Music Festival: Atlanta, Georgia
Date: Early May
Place: Central Park, Atlanta
Shaky Knees Music Festival is a knockout NYC rock and indie event that lasts for three days and is visited by music lovers from all over the United States. Being hosted in Atlanta’s Central Park, the festival has great names like The Killers, Muse, and Foo Fighters, plus it welcomes the rising stars.
Shaky Knees has been receiving a lot of attention among the festival-goers for its loud concerts, smart scheduling, and its size, which is much smaller than that of most other festivals. Thus, a closer and more personal experience becomes possible.
Food trucks and local vendors serve the city's delicacies, and art installations and interactive spaces create the atmosphere. Usually, attendees visit the city's lively street art and heritage sites before or after the shows.
In general, the festival’s line-up that combines old and new artists gives the fans at Shaky Knees a great music expo, with which Atlanta and Georgia’s capital become the home for the music world, the gourmet food, and the rock-and-roll excitement.